Pink Stylophora

Pink Stylophora, Stylophora sp., is a branching stony coral known for its thick, rounded branches, compact colony structure, and closely spaced corallites. This specimen displays warm pink to salmon coloration across the branches with deeper magenta-purple pigmentation concentrated toward many of the branch tips. Numerous small corallites cover the surface, giving the colony its characteristic finely textured appearance. Stylophora corals contain symbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates that provide most of their nutritional energy, while their polyps can also capture very fine plankton and suspended organic material. Because several Stylophora species can have similar skeletal and color characteristics, species-level identification cannot be established reliably from appearance alone; therefore, Stylophora sp. is the scientifically appropriate designation.

Care Guide: Stylophora sp. generally performs best under moderate to strong reef lighting with moderate to strong, turbulent water movement. Variable flow helps deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout the branching colony while preventing detritus from accumulating between branches. Place on stable rockwork where the coral receives consistent light and circulation, allowing enough room for future branching growth. Maintain stable temperature and salinity along with consistent alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium to support calcification. Nitrate and phosphate should remain measurable and stable rather than being maintained at extremely low levels. Most nutrition comes from photosynthesis, although fine planktonic foods and suspended particulate material may provide supplemental nutrition. Like other branching stony corals, Stylophora responds best to mature, stable reef conditions and can be sensitive to abrupt changes in alkalinity, temperature, salinity, or lighting.